Media Contact: Laura McGuire
608-381-4502 | laura.mcguire@redcross.org

MADISON, Wis. (June 15, 2026) — The American Red Cross is calling on community members across the Greater Madison area to help make it a summer full of life by donating blood at upcoming Beach Days Blood Drives, taking place June 30 through July 2, 2026.

Summer often brings a seasonal decline in donations, these special event drives aim to boost the local blood supply while offering a fun, beach-themed experience for donors.

Community members are invited to attend any of the following locations:

• Tuesday, June 30
  • Memorial Union, sponsored by UW Hoofers, 800 Langdon St. Madison, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Madison Marriott West, 1313 John Q Hammons Dr. Middleton, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 1
  • St Francis of Assisi Church, 338 S Harrison St. Belleville, 1 to 6 p.m.
  • Uptown Janesville, 2500 Milton Ave. Janesville, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, July 2
  • 26^th Annual Madison Beach Days, Madison Marriott South, 706 John Nolen Dr. Madison, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All participating donors will receive a Red Cross beach bag filled with exclusive swag, while supplies last. Each bag may also contain a surprise instant-win prize card as part of the “Beachside Surprise” giveaway.

In addition, donors who give blood between June 29 and July 12 can receive a limited-edition Red Cross x Looney Tunes T-shirt, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, while supplies last.

The Red Cross has also partnered with Kwik Trip for its “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” promotion. All presenting donors during the month of July will receive a pint of Nature’s Touch® milk in appreciation of their lifesaving contribution.*

Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.

Summer can shake up normal routines, but it’s important for donation appointments to stay on the calendar. Blood donations often take a dip around the Fourth of July holiday - but the need for blood and platelet transfusions doesn’t take a summer break. Summer is especially critical, as travel schedules and seasonal activities often lead to fewer donors.

Every two seconds someone in the United States someone needs blood and or platelets. Blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. An adequate supply of blood is critical for people waiting for lifesaving care. The Red Cross must collect nearly 13,000 blood and more than 2,600 platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide.

Blood donors of all types are needed. There is no substitute for donated blood products. Those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact.

How to donate blood
To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org use sponsor code: beachdays, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

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**Cannot be transferred or converted to cash. ^Offer applicable to presenting donors only during the following dates: 06/29/2026-07/12/2026. Sizes are limited and while supplies last. Offer subject to availability of donation opportunities in presenting donor’s area. No substitutions and not transferable by presenting donor. Not redeemable for cash. © 2026 The American National Red Cross. LOONEY TUNES and all related characters and elements © & TM Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s26) *Offer applicable to presenting donors only during the following dates 07/01/2026-07/31/2026 and while supplies last. Cannot be transferred or converted to cash. If you have recently made a donation, already scheduled an appointment or been told previously by the Red Cross or another blood center that you should never donate blood, please disregard this message. To confirm your eligibility to donate, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Times and locations subject to change. © 2026 The American Red Cross | 2026-APL-0288 | 2026-APL-0121 2026-APL-0254